Greater Sudbury Metropolitan Area
I am a rock mechanics specialist focused on the dynamic behaviour of deep underground excavations in high-stress, burst-prone ground. My work examines how loading-system stiffness, confinement evolution, excavation geometry, and strain-rate effects control brittle failure, strainburst intensity, bulking displacement, and dynamic support demand. I completed my PhD in Geological Engineering at Queen’s University under the supervision of Professors Mark S. Diederichs and Peter K. Kaiser. My doctoral research, System-Controlled Strainbursting in Brittle Rock: Energy Release and Bulking Displacement, develops a mechanics-based framework for understanding strainbursting as a coupled system instability rather than a material-strength problem alone. My research links discontinuum modelling, continuum implementation, analytical solutions, and excavation-scale interpretation. Using PFC, FLAC, and energy-based methods, I study how microcrack evolution, post-peak stiffness mismatch, non-uniform loading, and confinement loss govern kinetic energy release, average ejection velocity of breakout formations, rupture duration, and stress-induced bulking around underground openings. Previously, I evaluated the seismic response of preconditioned tunnels at El Teniente, Chile, using ETAS-based seismicity analysis to quantify how hydraulic fracturing and destressing influence rockburst hazard. I work at the interface of rock mechanics, numerical modelling, seismic hazard analysis, and underground excavation design, with a particular interest in translating advanced mechanics into practical tools for deep mining and dynamic ground-support assessment. Recognitions include the Best Paper and Presentation Award at RaSiM 11, winner of the International RockBowl Competition organized by ISRM and Geobrugg, and multiple Teaching Excellence Awards at Queen’s University.
-Conduct applied research in rock mechanics, deep mining, and underground excavation stability, with emphasis on high-stress ground, strainbursting, excavation damage, and dynamic ground-support demand. -Support industry-facing research initiatives related to in-situ stress, rockburst hazard, laboratory testing, monitoring strategies, and geomechanical interpretation for underground mines. -Contribute to numerical modelling, technical reporting, proposal development, and presentations for mining-industry partners. -Translate advanced geomechanics research into practical tools for safer and more efficient deep mining.
I have been the Teaching Assistant (TA) in the following courses: (1) GEOE 840 – ‘Computation and Machine Learning in Geosciences through Music’ Brief description: This is a graduate course that blends, music, field experiments, advanced computing, and machine learning to enrich experiential learning in geosciences. Year of TAship – 2023 (2) GEOE 313 – ‘Geomechanics and Engineering Geology’ Brief description: This is a third-year course that deepens in the application of geomechanical principles to rock characterization, engineering analysis and design problems related to surface and underground construction in rock and surface slope stability. Years of TAship – 2022; 2023; 2024 (3) GEOE 151– ‘Earth Systems Engineering’ Brief description: This is a first-year course that provides an introduction to the complex Earth system and our interaction with it. Years of TAship – 2021; 2022; 2023
-Evaluated the seismic response of preconditioned tunnels at El Teniente Mine using ETAS-based seismicity modelling. -Quantified how hydraulic fracturing and destressing influenced seismic productivity, rock mass response, and rockburst hazard.
-Developed a mechanics-based framework for system-controlled strainbursting in brittle rock, linking energy release, loading-system stiffness, confinement evolution, bulking displacement, and dynamic support demand. -Integrated PFC, FLAC, analytical solutions, and excavation-scale interpretation to quantify brittle failure, kinetic energy release, average ejection velocity of breakout formations, rupture duration, and stress-induced bulking. -Investigated how stiffness contrast, non-uniform loading, excavation geometry, and confinement loss control the transition from localized wall bursting to larger-scale unstable collapse. -Produced peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and technical contributions for burst-prone underground excavation design.
-Supported teaching in mining engineering, rock mechanics, and geomechanics-related coursework. -Assisted with tutorials, grading, student mentoring, and technical course delivery.
Supported geological and geotechnical data collection, field interpretation, and engineering documentation for infrastructure and applied geoscience projects.